ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) looks on after flying out during the MLB game between the Athletics and the Texas Rangers on September 2, 2026 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for September 3, 2026 against the Tampa Bay Rays: starting pitchers are Cal Quantrill for the Rangers and Shane McClanahan for the Rays.
Texas looks to start a new winning streak today after winning two of three against the A’s. Tampa is in town for four games. It would be a good thing if the Rangers won three of four in this series.
The lineup:
Duran — CF
Seager — SS
Langford — LF
Nimmo — RF
Foscue — 2B
Burger — 1B
O’Hoppe — DH
Freeman — 3B
Diaz — C
7:05 p.m. Central time. Rangers are +110 underdogs.
Chad Tracy ascended to Interim Manager of the Boston Red Sox in Baltimore. Tonight, he returns to the scene as a favorite for AL Manager of the Year.
Once again the Red Sox are in a bit of chaos. The pitching has given up 8 runs a game or a stretch, former Oriole Adley Rutschman hasn’t made the impact that was expected, but Roman Anthony and Trevor Story returned to great success. Boston is 4.5 games up on Cleveland for the third Wild Card and 6.0 above the Orioles, generally. If the O’s sweep they’ll be right in the playoff mix and Boston could be in trouble. But they need that sweep.
Jake Bennett will have something to say about the O’s chances. Since his struggles entering August, Bennett has found a second wind. His game was the only win against the Yankees in New York with 6.0 shutout innings and 7 strikeouts against zero walks. This is a guy who handled the Dodgers lineup and has been impressive in almost every start since his callup. He held the O’s to 3 runs in 5/2 innings back in July. Righty Brandon Young started the infamous Friday April 24 game against the Sox. This is the night that probably ended Alex Cora’s career. Brayan Bello was shelled for 8 runs in 3.1 while Young allowed 3 runs in 5.2, which would be all the Sox could score. Batters have improved against Young ever month of the season and finished August with a cumulative .295/.362/.486 against him.
What is Ranger Suarez at this point? An ugly 6-run performance against the Yankees reset some of the progress he had been making. His start kicked off a five-game stretch of the pitching allowing at least 8 runs per game. The Mariners don’t even have Pete Alonso. The O’s haven’t seen him yet this year so maybe that will help. This is Shane Baz’s third start against Boston and he’s held them to 6 runs (3 earned) in 13 innings. He has’t had to deal with the Roman Empire so far.
Sonny Gray hopefully just needed as skipped start. It did wonders for Bennett to have extra rest. Fingers crossed that’s all because the Sox need Gray at his best the rest of the way. He too hasn’t faced the Orioles in 2026. Chris Bassitt faced Boston way back on June 3 and then missed two months, He allowed 3 runs in 3.3 innings on the way to a Sox 8-1 victory. He allowed 5 runs to the A’s last time out. As we’ve seen the A’s can play very well.
The series closes with Payton Tolle. Hopefully the split is already secure here. Tolle got into some trouble against the Mariners and after 5.2 innings and, well, the bullpen couldn’t get one out. The Sox rallied around Mass Pike to win 9-8 in 10 innings. The previous start featured Jarren Duran’s 11th inning grand slam. And before that was a 7-6 loss to the Dbacks in 10 innings. Maybe score him runs early this time? Kyle Bradish was the losing pitcher in Chad Tracy’s debut back on April 26th. He closes out the series on another Sunday. In 11 innings he’s allowed 4 runs to Boston while striking out 7 and walking 5. He missed most of 2024 and 2025 so now at just about 150 innings it’s possiuble he’s wearing down. Batters posted an OPS just under .900 against him in August and he lost to the Rockies last time out.
Famously traded starting catcher Adley Rutschman.
Gunnar Henderson just finished a .245/.377/.447 August representing his season turnaround. He’s always dangerous.
Pete Alonso is at 32 homers.
Old friend Tyler O’ Neill is back on the IL.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Thursday, September 3: Jake Bennett (3.27 ERA / 3.16 FIP) vs. Brandon Young (3.38 ERA / 4.32 FIP)
Friday, September 4: Ranger Suarez (3.64 ERA / 3.10 FIP) vs. Shane Baz (4.01 ERA / 3.36 FIP)
Saturday, September 5: Sonny Gray (2.82 ERA / 3.35 FIP) vs. Chris Bassett (4.97 ERA / 4.61 FIP)
Sunday, September 6: Payton Tolle (3.23 ERA / 3.28 FIP) vs. Kyle Bradish (4.01 ERA / 4.10 FIP)
The Yankees have plenty of talent in their minor league affiliates, so much so that young outfielder Yostin Peña, arguably the hottest hitter in the entire organization, isn’t yet ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 30 prospects.
Peña, signed last December after issues regarding his age documentation surfaced and scuttled his deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, made quick work of the Dominican Summer League, slashing a robust .375/.457/.646 with eight homers, 27 stolen bases, and a 150 wRC+ in 37 games, before earning a promotion to Single-A.
There, the 18-year-old phenom has posted a brilliant .355/.419/.605 line with five round-trippers, seven thefts, and a 161 wRC+ in 18 games through Tuesday. Between the two levels, the dynamic talent has 13 dingers, 34 steals, and a 154 wRC+.
Peña has some of the most exciting raw tools you will see in the low minors, and an incredible frame for such a young prospect: he is 6’4” and is listed at 205 lb. Evidently, speed and athleticism are both plus, as is his raw power.
What has the industry said about him recently? In a fantasy baseball roundup, the folks at Baseball America said that Peña is ‘the highest-ranked hitting prospect still in Low-A. With excellent power for his age, a better-than-average in-zone contact rate and 15-to-20 stolen base potential, Peña is a fascinating blend of power, speed and fantasy upside.’
That’s nice for our fantasy baseball community, but what about as a real-life report? Sam Dyksra and Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline recently reviewed the hottest hitter in each team’s farm system, and of course Peña’s name came up when they discussed the Yankees. Here’s what they wrote on August 26:
At 18 years old, Pena was a bit on the older side for the Dominican Summer League, where he opened the season, but on July 28, he skipped the FCL to get a promotion to Single-A Tampa and hasn’t looked back since. The 6-foot-4 right-handed slugger has hit .358/.389/.597 with four homers in his first 15 games with the Tarpons. (Three of those four dingers have come in the last week alone.) His big-time power (113.6 mph max exit velocity, 108.2 90th-percentile EV in the FSL) is his most intriguing asset, though a high chase rate brings some cause for concern as he sees more full-season pitching.
As you can see, those are some impressive exit velocities. Considering that he can still fill out his frame with muscle and thump, his raw power potential is very scary. It’s important to remember that he is still very young and raw, and given his contact issues and propensity to chase pitches out of the zone, he probably won’t be a fast riser who will get to Triple-A in the first half of 2027.
Speaking of his high chase rate, Peña’s 39.7 O-Swing% is quite high. Additionally, he has a 16.1 SwStr%, also elevated. Both marks would rank near the bottom of the league in the majors, and this is against Single-A pitching. Stats don’t actually mean much since it’s just 18 games, but it’s something to keep an eye on. Amazingly, his 17.4 percent strikeout rate in those 18 Single-A games is not that bad, but that look under the hood suggests it could be much worse.
Despite his less-than-ideal approach and contact profile, Peña is an exciting prospect, indeed. Those who have seen him play believe he has superstar potential, but he needs to conquer some demons first. It’s nothing uncommon when talking about a prospect his age, though. The range of outcomes is broad here, but if Peña hits his lofty ceiling, watch out.
Could Stan Kroenke do the same thing in his first offseason as the Angels’ owner?
Kroenke is not expected to be approved as Moreno’s successor until early next year. By then, players might be in spring training — or might still be sitting home, awaiting the end of a lockout and a subsequent free-agent signing frenzy.
The best player in this fall’s free-agent class is certain of one thing: Whenever Kroenke takes over, Anaheim instantly becomes a preferred destination for stars across the major leagues, with a new owner not just promising to spend to win but a demonstrated history of doing so.
“Absolutely,” Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal told The Times. “Not only an owner that has obvious financial backing, but an owner that has turned the Rams into what the Rams are. I think they’re the Super Bowl favorite this year. There’s an owner that cares about winning.
“The impact he brings to the Angels? You bring an owner that really cares about winning and is willing to do whatever it takes to win and invest, not only with players on the field but all the stuff behind the scenes, like clubhouse renovations. I’m sure there will be a lot of stuff there that changes to make it state-of-the-art, because all that stuff matters.”
Under Perry Minasian, the Angels’ general manager from 2021-26, the largest free-agent signing approved by Moreno: pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, for $63 million.
Kroenke would be the richest owner in baseball, with a net worth estimated by Forbes at $24 billion.
Skubal said he is focused on helping the Dodgers toward a third consecutive World Series championship and has not thought much about his free agency. Speaking generally, he said, it is likely that players that might not have considered signing with the Angels might now do so.
“You want to feel wanted,” Skubal said. “And you have an owner that is willing to do whatever it takes to win. Winning is the most important thing in sports. When you get yourself in that environment, I think guys do want to play there.
“Just look around the league: Guys tend to gravitate toward teams that are winning and teams that are in the playoff hunt every single year, with World Series aspirations every single year. I think free agents gravitate toward that in general. I’m sure that will be the case.”
From the players’ viewpoint, the successive sales of major league franchises at record values — the San Diego Padres at $3.9 billion, then the Angels at $4 billion — reflects good economic times. From the owners’ standpoint, the mid-market Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA just sold at a $4.5 billion valuation.
Commissioner Rob Manfred has cited lagging franchise values in baseball as a reason owners want a salary cap, which the NBA has. Yet the Padres and Angels sold before their owners found out whether they could secure the salary cap the league insists is a primary objective in collective bargaining.
“I think it’s pretty obvious what that says, right?” said Skubal, one of eight players on the union’s executive subcommittee.
“If that’s the complaint that ownership and MLB is holding onto, I think they’re proving themselves wrong by selling these teams for record values. I think those clubs selling continues to support the argument that our game is in a really good spot.”
The owners also pitch a salary cap as a tonic for competitive balance, citing what they say is a $441-million gap between the Dodgers’ top-ranked payroll and the Miami Marlins’ bottom-ranked payroll.
The players point to franchise sales as another economic indicator. The Padres last sold for $800 million, in 2012. The Angels last sold for $183.5 million, in 2003.
“It’s a very profitable business venture,” Skubal said. “The sport itself is great. The product on the field is outstanding.”
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 28: Head coach Mike LaFleur of the Arizona Cardinals takes the field before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 28, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cardinals come into the 2026 season not favored in every single game on the schedule and are more than a touchdown underdog in the majority of them. That is…not fun to see or read or hear.
At the same time, the Cardinals are an objectively better this year than last. Better players are on the roster and some of the promising young guys have more experience under their belt. With that in mind, I want to hear predictions from you all on how many games you foresee the Cardinals winning this season.
History usually says things aren’t always as bad as they seem, nor are always as good, either. Even if the Cardinals are unfavored in every game, they won’t go 0-16 (hopefully). And heck, the phrase “any given Sunday” exists for a reason, too. It’s more than likely the Cardinals will win a game or two they had no business competing in, and that’s just how it goes sometimes.
At any rate, go ahead and hop in the comments to give us your predictions!
Cardinals News:
Mike LaFleur is a “dream” for the Cardinals wide receivers (AZCardinals.com)
Some bad and some good news about Michael Wilson’s contract talks (Cards Wire)
The Cardinals and Michael Wilson have had “movement” on a new extension (Pro Football Talk)
NFL News:
The Raiders named Kirk Cousins their starting quarterback for Week One (ESPN)
These are the players, coaches, and GMs with the most at stake in 2026 (ESPN)
Taking into account what happened in the first two games of this series against the Cardinals, carrying a certain pessimism into the final game of this series would be reasonable. Depending on the outcome of this matchup, this could qualify as the most frustrating series of the year—once being blown out and a second time seeing Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tanner Scott surrender a three-run lead with the Dodgers on their way to the first loss in extras this season. Then again, you look at the pitching matchup of Tarik Skubal against Quinn Matthews—a rookie making his fifth start—and that pessimism doesn’t feel as justifiable.
That’s the thing about the 2026 Dodgers, which defines this next game and plenty of other specific matchups amidst their worst moments—it doesn’t matter what the recent outlook is; once you get a glimpse of what’s on the horizon, most concerns naturally drift away. Skubal knew he was joining a powerhouse when he was traded to the Dodgers, but in actuality—at least up to this point—he has needed every ounce of his dominance to avoid a losing record in his first month at a new club. With the offense far from the height of its powers, Skubal has received a mere three runs of support per game across his five starts. And the Dodgers’ three wins in Skubal’s starts have all come in one-run games.
Beyond the excruciating losses, a theme of this series is the massive production both teams are getting from their shortstops. Who would have guessed that Mookie Betts would have four extra-base hits in this series and still be outslugged by the Cards’ ninth-hole hitter, Thomas Saggesse? Saggese is responsible for three of the Cardinals’ seven home runs this series—two more than he had in the entire 2026 season prior to visiting Dodger Stadium. Long-term, though, for the Dodgers, there are few more impactful developments than Betts kicking it up a notch or two.
The Mets are making an addition, claiming RHP Cameron Weston off waivers from the Orioles.
Weston has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
The right-hander joined Baltimore as a 2022 eighth-round pick out of Michigan.
He's been climbing his way through the system, and made his big-league debut at the end of May.
Weston was DFA'd by the O's this week to make room on the 40 Man roster, and now he lands in the Big Apple with hopes of receiving an opportunity out of their bullpen.
The 26-year-old has had an up-and-down Triple-A season, striking out a career-high 11.57 batters per nine innings while also walking a career-worst 5.44 batters per nine.
He's pitched to a 4.37 ERA with 387 strikeouts across 105 minor league appearances.
In a corresponding roster move, C Shawn Ross has been DFA'd.
Tarik Skubal takes the mound for Los Angeles tonight, and we're riding with him as part of my Dodgers vs. Cardinals prediction.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again massive 73-cent favorites at Polymarket, so we'll look for the Dodgers to win this one going away.
Let’s dive into my MLB picks for Thursday, Sept. 3.
Who will win Cardinals vs Dodgers tonight: Dodgers -1.5 (56%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
Our win probability is elevated here due to the Tarik Skubal effect, but we're not going to go against the grain after the Los Angeles Dodgers watched two three-run leads slip away last night. They have a plus-matchup against the No. 8 prospect for the St. Louis Cardinals, Quinn Matthews, too.
The Dodgers own a .745 OPS against lefties this season, and shouldn't have an issue pulling away with Skubal on the mound. They'll get their licks back tonight.
COVERS INTEL: Look for Skubal to have his way with the Cardinals tonight, owning a 37% K rate and 36% whiff rate in this spot. If he stays away from Jordan Walker (.920 OPS vs. lefties) we'll be fine.
Cardinals vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 runs (49%)
We're seeing a couple of the best Under teams in baseball this year, both hitting at a 54% clip, and with Skubal on the mound, runs for the Cardinals will be few and far between. The Dodgers ace owns a 7.6 barrel percentage, one of the lowest marks of his career, so I'm expecting some weak contact tonight.
While I believe the Dodgers will get to Matthews, his 3.32 xERA suggests he's been unlucky this year. Let's see a pitcher's duel.
I'd play this to 53 cents.
Cardinals vs Dodgers home run prediction: Teoscar Hernandez (21%)
Hernandez has been eating against lefties this season, owning a .822 OPS and hitting five of his 12 homers off southpaws. He's seeing the ball great right now, too, with six hits in his last three games. Although he missed all of June, Hernandez has lost some of his power this year, but he's in a great spot tonight against a young lefty. At this price, you almost have to hit the button.
Let's watch Teoscar go yard tonight.
Dustin Saracini's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 8-10, -1.00 units
Over/Under bets: 8-9, -1.32 units
Cardinals vs Dodgers weather
It's a perfect night for baseball in Los Angeles, with sunny skies and temperatures sitting at 77 degrees Fahrenheit prior to first pitch.
Cardinals vs Dodgers odds
Moneyline: Cardinals 28% | Dodgers 73%
Run line: Cardinals 45% | Dodgers 56%
Over/Under: Over 7.5 52% | Under 49%
Cardinals vs Dodgers trend
The Under is 7-0 in the Dodgers' last seven during game three of a series. Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Cardinals vs Dodgers and game info
Location
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Thursday, September 3, 2026
First pitch
10:10 p.m. ET
TV
Cardinals.TV, SportsNet LA
Cardinals starting pitcher
Quinn Matthews (1-2, 5.03 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal (8-7, 2.84 ERA)
Cardinals vs Dodgers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Tampa Tarpons right-handed pitcher Travis MacGregor (21) delivers a pitch during the second inning of the game against the Lakeland Flying Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, on July 28, 2026. (Photo by Carl Rizzo/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Travis MacGregor came within one pitch of an immaculate inning in the top of the first Aug. 23 at PNC Field in northeastern Pennsylvania against the Charlotte Knights, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Forced to make a spot start for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the 28-year-old right-hander struck out Rikuu Nishida on three pitches leading off the game. Then, he fanned Junior Perez on three pitches. He threw two strikes to Edgar Quero before Quero spoiled the bid by flying out to center field.
It was part of a perfect three-inning performance with four strikeouts and helped send the RailRiders on their way to a 9-5 victory.
MacGregor is pitching after starting the season on the 60-day injured list due to a shoulder injury suffered early in spring training. Since being activated Aug. 13, he has appeared in five games for the RailRiders. He allowed a run in his first game Aug. 13 at Lehigh Valley, but has not given up a run in the other four outings. He has 13 strikeouts in 9.2 innings.
Signed by the Yankees to a minor-league contract in December as a free agent, the injury prevented MacGregor from showing his new team what he can do. He is trying to make up for lost time.
The New York Yankees have signed Travis MacGregor to a minor league contract. The pitcher has 534 strikeouts in 526.1 innings pitched throughout his minor league career. pic.twitter.com/4krBczmYCI
“Any time you come to a new organization, you want to be able to showcase what you’re able to do,” MacGregor said. “Having to sit out for this long a time certainly was a little frustrating. But I’ve got a month left in the season pretty much to try to showcase my abilities. We’ll see what happens for the rest of the year.”
At the same time, he has to be careful not to do too much lest he reinjure himself.
“When I say showcase my abilities, I mean going out there and playing the way I play,” he said. “They liked something. They brought me in for a reason. I just have to go out there and play my game and showcase me for the amount of time I have. You can’t put too much pressure on yourself to try to make anything happen. That’s out of your control. I just have to make sure I’m prepared for each game that comes.”
This is MacGregor’s ninth minor-league season and he has a career record of 20-37 with eight saves and a 4.62 ERA in 238 games with 552 strikeouts in 541.2 innings. He was selected out of high school by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round (68th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft. He was with the Pirates organization from 2016-18 and 2021-23, missing all of the 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery and the 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pirates sign 2nd-round pick Travis MacGregor & more from the 2016 draft class.
He signed with the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent for 2024 and spent one season in their system. In 2025, he signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers and pitched at Double-A before being released at the end of July. He was picked up by the Milwaukee Brewers in August and finished the season in Double-A. He again became a free agent and was signed by the Yankees.
“It’s been a fantastic experience,” MacGregor said. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know all the players and staff members, the coaches. Everyone’s been great. It’s the New York Yankees. They’re talked of highly and certainly met the standards they set for themselves. I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far.”
Unfortunately, his time with the Yankees got off to a rough start due to the injury in spring training. Beginning at the end of July, he made three rehab appearances with the Single-A Tampa Tarpons and one with the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades before joining the RailRiders.
“Anytime anybody comes off an injury, you’re wanting to try it out or feel it out for the first couple of pitches or outings,” MacGregor said. “But you’ve done so much preparation beforehand that you have to have confidence that you’re good to go. I’ve been throwing bullpens, throwing lives, stuff like that beforehand. I knew I was in good shape.”
This is not MacGregor’s first time in Triple-A. He made it to the highest level of the minors with the Pirates organization, as well as with the Angels. He has yet to make that next step to the major leagues, however.
“I wouldn’t say anything preventing me. Maybe just some unfortunate timing on things,” MacGregor said. “I’m just grateful to be playing any chance that I get. I’m confident my day will come. Until then, I’ll just be where my feet are and take care of business every day.”
Alexander Cornielle became the latest member of the RailRiders to earn an International League weekly award when the righthander was named Pitcher of the Week for the period of Aug. 24-30. He was honored for his shutout performance Aug. 28 at Worcester, going eight innings — a season-high for a RailRiders pitcher — and allowing just two hits with two walks and six strikeouts in a 2-0 win. It was the team’s ninth shutout of the season.
Cornielle Cooked. 👨🍳
After shoving a career-high eight shutout innings, Alexander Cornielle earned his first @MilB IL Pitcher of the Week honor.
Since coming off the 60-day injured list and joining the RailRiders in June, Cornielle is 5-3 in 14 games (13 starts) with a 2.70 earned-run average and 59 strikeouts in 60 innings. However, in August, he was 2-1 in five starts with a 1.50 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 24 innings.
Cornielle joins Brendan Beck as RailRiders to be named IL Pitcher of the Week this season; Beck won the award three times (May 11-17, June 1-8, July 20-26) and also was chosen IL Pitcher of the Month for June. Yanquiel Fernandez (May 18-24) and Tyler Hardman (July 6-12) were selected IL Player of the Week this season.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 02: Griffin Jax #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the game between the New York Mets and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Mets wrapped up the final game of their season series on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. Grifin Jax made his return to the mound after missing sometime with elbow issues. Unfortunately for him and the Rays, it was a rocky reentry to the rotation.
Early on, it appeared that the Mets would be leaving with a series win. Then, for a brief moment, the game was exciting, and it felt as though the Rays might erase a six-run deficit and defy the odds once again on this homestand. Then, in the seventh, this one was all but over again.
Jax, looking a bit rusty in his first start back, was tagged for three two-out runs in the first inning. Again, he was tagged for three two-out runs in the third. Both innings it looked like he might wiggle off the hook, but he was unable to do so and quickly, the Rays were down by six. Baty’s three run double in the third that cleared the bases was the final nail Jax’s coffin and he was replaced by Steven Matz after recording only eight outs on the day.
Jax finished with 2.2 innings of work and allowed six runs on seven hits. He struck out one and walked a pair.
Matz was able to toss 2.1 scoreless innings and keep the Rays in it long enough for them to claw their way back to within striking distance. They scored a run in the bottom of the third when Aranda single home Walls.
Then, in the bottom of the fourth Simpson scored on a Mullins RBI single to make it a 6-2 game. Palacios then left the yard on a line drive homer that just cleared the right field wall. In the blink of an eye, it was a two run game.
The Rays had all the momentum, but the game remained locked at 6-4 until the top of the seventh when the Mets tagged Cam Booser and Manuel Rodriguez for another three-spot. Booser left with one out and two men on. Rodriguez came on to face Simien and quickly hit him to load the bases. A.J. Ewing struck out and again the Rays were just a pitch away from escaping the jam. Instead, Nick Morabito hit a bases clearing double and gave the Mets a 9-4 lead. The next inning Juan Soto clobbered his 23rd homer of the season and extended the lead to six runs once again.
The 10-4 score would hold with the loss, the Rays dropped the series. With the Yankees extra innings win in Los Angeles, the Rays division lead is down to just 3.5 games.
They will look to rebound in the house of horrors that is Globe Life Field where they seemingly haven’t won a game since the 2020 World Series. Mac will be on the bump facing a desperate Rangers team hunting for a playoff spot.
The Los Angeles Angels moved into Dodger Stadium in 1962, their second season, after playing their inaugural season in a since-demolished minor league ballpark near the Coliseum.
The Dodgers billed the Angels for cleaning windows of offices that had no windows. The Dodgers charged the Angels half the cost of toilet paper even though the Dodgers attracted far more than half the fans.
The Dodgers called it enforcing the stadium lease. The Angels called it petty, and they searched for a home they could call their own.
Angels fans hold up signs thanking Kroenke Sports and Entertainment for buying the team from Arte Moreno during a game against the Yankees on Tuesday. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
They first looked to Long Beach, and the city said it would welcome the team under one condition: The team would be called the Long Beach Angels.
Gene Autry, the owner, said no. He turned to Anaheim, where city officials invited him to come on down and call his team whatever he wanted.
In 1966, the California Angels made their debut at the brand-new Anaheim Stadium.
In 2026, the Los Angeles Angels play at Angel Stadium: same team, same ballpark, different names for both.
“For 60 years, our community has filled Angel Stadium, raised a World Series banner as the Anaheim Angels, and shown up through every season,” Assemblyman Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) said.
For 60 years, the city of Anaheim has failed its taxpayers.
Angel Stadium is surrounded by 130 acres of parking lots. The city owns the stadium and the lots. Every winter, and every other week during the summer, the lots sit empty.
The last time a team owner pitched a development plan for those parking lots — current owner Arte Moreno, in 2019 — the city estimated all the shops and restaurants and hotel rooms and offices and homes would generate $10 million per year in tax revenue. As part of that plan, the Angels would commit to stay in Anaheim through 2050.
More parks. More libraries. More police officers. More firefighters.
Over the years, Anaheim had considered a variety of opportunities for the site: An NFL stadium, but the NFL wasn’t interested. A Disney-run retail and entertainment center, but Disney wasn’t interested. The indoor surf and snowboard park could have been wild, but who wants to surf and snowboard inside a giant refrigerator when Huntington Beach and Mt. Baldy are a short drive away?
From this perspective, Kroenke could be a godsend for the city.
Cars filled the parking lot at Angel Stadium for the team's home opener against the Chicago White Sox on April 1, 2021. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
What Anaheim needs is what Kroenke already does: Anchor a new sports facility within a new community: in Inglewood, around SoFi Stadium; in Woodland Hills, around the Rams’ practice facility; in San Diego, around a planned arena.
With the Angels, Plan A for Kroenke is almost certainly building a new ballpark and community on the Angel Stadium site, the kind of large urban parcel that is rarely available, and better yet close to freeways and public transit.
That does not mean Kroenke would not consider a Plan B. On Wednesday, an industry official familiar with franchise sales, texting on condition of anonymity, said Kroenke had put himself in a “brilliant” spot: “Option to do small intimate ballpark at Sofi is really huge leverage.”
The Angels’ sale won’t be finalized until early next year, and Kroenke and his people aren’t likely to talk until then.
In Anaheim, however, the priorities set out in that proposed deal with Moreno should be the same today: Get the city out of the stadium business; anchor the Angels in town for decades to come; get the team to pay for a new ballpark; generate taxes from development on the stadium parking lots.
The Angels’ stadium lease — that would be Kroenke’s lease now — expires in six years. This might be Anaheim’s last, best chance at satisfying those objectives.
That would mean selling the site to Kroenke at a fair price — and with a publicly released assessment showing the market rate, rather than appearing to fit a predetermined sale price. And, thanks to a bill signed into law last week by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the city can help Kroenke make more money from the development, if he is willing to call the team the Anaheim Angels.
But what if he says no, just as Autry said no to Long Beach all those years ago?
If Kroenke is looking for immediate goodwill in Anaheim, pulling on an Anaheim Angels cap and announcing the return of that team name would do it. (Actually, please don’t pull on that cap. It was hideous.)
In the long term, perhaps Kroenke prefers the Los Angeles name the Angels have worn for 27 seasons, rather than the Anaheim name they wore for eight seasons.
The Rams played at Anaheim Stadium as the Los Angeles Rams. They now play in Inglewood under a Los Angeles name, just as the Chargers and Clippers do.
The Angel Stadium lease that Kroenke inherits requires the team name to “include the name Anaheim therein.” Under Moreno, the city bristled, the “of Anaheim” part of “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim” had disappeared. The city could make that an issue anew. Or the city could sell the entire stadium site to the highest bidder, with no requirement that the winner keep a ballpark on the property.
Over the next year, we’ll see the directions Kroenke and Anaheim take in negotiations. For the city, the Anaheim Angels are Plan A. But Kroenke will have a Plan B, and Anaheim should, too.
The Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers begin a four-game set at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 3, with tonight’s opening pitch set for 8:05 p.m. ET.
While Tampa Bay is a short road favorite, my top Rays vs. Rangers prediction and MLB picks call for Cal Quantrill to lead the way in a low-scoring Texas win.
Who will win Rays vs Rangers today: Rangers moneyline (46.5%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
Texas also ranks second in wRC+ and fifth in wOBA against lefties, so I’m expecting the Rangers to have early success at the dish before Tampa has to turn to a bullpen that was leaned on for 12 innings and posted a confidence-shattering 5.19 xFIP in its latest series.
Turning to Rangers starter Cal Quantrill, he’s spun a tidy 2.96 xERA and 3.32 xFIP through his past six outings, so I’m happy to back Texas to 50% tonight.
COVERS INTEL: Quantrill has held opposing hitters to a minuscule .223 wOBA and .510 OPS across his past seven starts.
Rays vs Rangers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (47.8%)
While I do expect Texas to put runs on the board, the Rangers are in a bit of an offensive funk with a 22nd-ranked xwOBA and an average of just 3.9 runs per game over the past 30 days. Fortunately, Tampa Bay hasn’t been notably better and ranks 20th in the metric with 4.9 runs per game during the same stretch, and the Rays have played to the Under in 25 of their last 40 away games (+8.70 Units / 20% ROI).
So, with Quantrill’s highlighted run, Tampa isn’t positioned to put up many crooked numbers on the scoreboard, either.
Rays vs Rangers home run prediction: Justin Foscue (11.1%)
In addition to the highlighted struggles McClanahan has had over his past six starts, he’s also allowed a healthy 44.8% hard-hit rate to right-handed hitters, so Justin Foscue is a prime candidate to go deep for the Rangers. Foscue boasts a monster .304 ISO against lefties, and he’s sporting an .800 slugging percentage across his past 22 plate appearances.
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 50-22, +30.08 units
Over/Under bets: 23-21, +0.54 units
Rays vs Rangers weather
The retractable roof will be closed at Globe Life Field tonight.
Rays vs Rangers odds
Moneyline: Rays 56.5% | Rangers 47.6%
Run line: Rays -1.5 (43.5%) | Rangers +1.5 (60%)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (53.5%) | Under 7.5 (51.2%)
Rays vs Rangers trend
The Texas Rangers have won 13 of their last 19 games at home (+4.70 Units / 16% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Rays vs. Rangers.
How to watch Rays vs Rangers and game info
Location
Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
Date
Thursday, September 3, 2026
First pitch
8:05 p.m. ET
TV
Rays.TV, RSN
Rays starting pitcher
Shane McClanahan (10-6, 3.19 ERA)
Rangers starting pitcher
Cal Quantrill (6-5, 3.01 ERA)
Rays vs Rangers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 31: Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after defeating the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on August 31, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Red Sox have had a discouraging run of late, dropping back-to-back series and six of their last games. Boston still has a solid hold on the second American League Wild Card entering a four-game set against the Baltimore Orioles, who have managed to hang around in the postseason conversation.
Losing three of four to the Yankees seemed to all but book a trip back to New York for the Wild Card series in a rematch of last year’s three-game set between the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds in the AL. That still feels like the most likely outcome again, but if the Red Sox continue to falter while veterans get a breather and the pitching staff tires, could Boston get passed by, for example, the Cleveland Guardians (4.5 GB) and find itself as the No. 6 seed?
To be honest, it actually may not be the worst thing to happen.
If the Red Sox stay set as the No. 5 seed, they’d battle the Yankees in another war of a Wild Card series. Should they advance, they’d meet another demon in the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS. Boston did conquer that path en route to an ALCS appearance in 2021, though this clash with one or both of those division rivals would be draining again in 2026.
Consider the alternative if the Red Sox hold on for a playoff berth (which would be their first consecutive berths since 2016-2018, by the way) as the No. 6 seed, the path is undoubtedly less daunting based on competition. Boston would get the winner of the American League West. Entering Thursday, that would be the Houston Astros, who sit just two games above .500 at 71-69. Take the bat out of Yordan Alvarez’s hands when possible and Boston should take care of business in that series.
From there, the Red Sox would face the AL Central champion Chicago White Sox. Chicago is a young team that performed above expectations this year with some familiar friends who would be extra motivated to eliminate Boston, the franchise that flipped multiple prospects in the Garrett Crochet trade two winters ago. In this ALDS hypothetical, the Red Sox are the better team again and should take care of business again.
The Red Sox shouldn’t be looking to back into the playoffs simply for seeding’s sake. To be honest, that’s a bit of a loser mentality. With that said, that’s clearly not what they’re doing at the moment, at least during the Seattle series. Giving Willson Contreras a breather on the IL and pushing back Sonny Gray’s start was the right call. Those guys need to be fresh for a playoff run and the decent cushion is great to take advantage of.
There’s something to say about real reinforcements for the Red Sox as well. Roman Anthony and Trevor Story are in rhythm at the plate since they reform while Garrett Crochet and Tanner Houck are nearing closer and should factor into the playoff bullpen.
Not to say September is irrelevant, because there’s still games to be won to clinch a spot, but a trip back to The Bronx still feels relevant. If things go slightly wrong, have no fear for the path ahead for the Red Sox.
With the Cubs now nine games behind the Brewers in the NL Central — Milwaukee’s magic number to clinch the division title is 14 — let’s turn our upcoming schedule attention to the team’s competitors in the Wild Card race.
As you know, the Cubs hold the tiebreaker over the three teams closest to them in the Wild Card race, the Phillies, Diamondbacks and Padres. What makes all of this more interesting is that the Marlins are sneaking up behind the latter two teams. Arizona now holds the third wild card spot, half a game ahead of the Padres. But the Marlins stand just two games behind San Diego.
The Cubs and Marlins have not yet met this year. They will play six times later this month, first with a three-game series in Miami that begins Friday. So the Cubs will have a big say in whether the Marlins can make the postseason or not.
Tankathon has the Phillies with the toughest strength of schedule (second). The Marlins are fourth, Cubs are fifth, Padres 20th and Diamondbacks 21st.
Here are the remaining schedules for all five teams. Home games in boldface.
Cubs, 22 games (10 home, 12 road)
Brewers (1), at Marlins (3), at Brewers (3), Pirates (3), Braves (3), at Reds (3), Marlins (3), at Red Sox (3)
That last grouping of games involves a lot of travel, a three-game trip, then a three-game homestand, then another three-game trip. Those last three games could be important for both the Cubs and Red Sox.
Phillies, 22 games (13 home, 9 road)
Braves (4), Astros (3), at Braves (3), at Nationals (3), at Mets (3), Brewers (3), Rays (3)
That’s 16 of 22 games against teams currently in first place. The Phillies are currently under .500 (32-33) against teams with winning records. That could help out the Cubs.
Also, while the remaining Phillies schedule begins with a homestand, Philadelphia has a slightly better road winning percentage (.569) than at home (.559).
Diamondbacks, 21 games (9 home, 12 road)
at Astros (3), at Royals (3), Rangers (3), Marlins (3), Yankees (3), at Rockies (3), at Padres (3)
A combination of teams fighting for postseason spots and teams way out of it.
The D-backs are under .500 (33-36) away from Chase Field so this might hurt them down the stretch.
Padres, 22 games (12 home, 10 road)
Yankees (3), Nationals (3), at Giants (3), at Rockies (4), Marlins (3), at Dodgers (3), Diamondbacks (3)
Those last three Diamondbacks/Padres games could help decide one of the wild card spots.
Marlins, 22 games (12 home, 10 road)
at Royals (1), Cubs (3), Mets (3), Dodgers (3), at Diamondbacks (3), at Padres (3), at Cubs (3), Braves (3)
The Marlins have a tough schedule, even with a nine-game homestand. Then they have a nine-game trip, including two out west. Miami is 29-42 on the road, so their postseason hopes are probably a longshot.
It should be a fun final three weeks. Fasten your seat belts!
An aerial view shows Dodger Stadium in Elysian Park on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, in Los Angeles. The stadium, stands and surrounding parking lots are empty.
A dead man was found hanging from a bridge outside Dodger Stadium as the team played, an LAPD spokesperson told The California Post.
The unidentified male was found just off of Bernard Street and Stadium Way near Dodger Stadium at around 8:48 p.m. Wednesday night, the LAPD rep said. The location is just a few hundred yards away from where the Los Angeles Dodgers were taking on the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Dodgers vs. Cardinals game began at 7:10 p.m. and concluded at around 10:10 p.m.
The location is just a few hundred yards away from where the Dodgers were taking on the St. Louis Cardinals. Getty ImagesA dead man was found hanging from a bridge outside LA’s Dodger Stadium as the team played nearby. Getty ImagesSt. Louis Cardinals third baseman Ramón Urías (left) and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Eric Lauer (right) react after Urías hit a home run in the second inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock
Cops were initially called out to the scene after 911 callers said they saw a dead body “in plain sight,” according to police audio reviewed by The Post.
No foul play was suspected following an investigation, the LAPD spokesperson said.
The matter is still “pending identification and legal next of kin,” the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner added.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
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COVERS INTEL: Look for Skubal to have his way with the Cardinals tonight, owning a 37% K rate and 36% whiff rate in this spot. If he stays away from 
